Senior Designer Jobs in San Diego, CA

The Senior Designer, Custom Publishing is a hands-on, creative professional, responsible for designing and executing a high volume of custom publishing projects for Silver Dolphin Books and Studio Fun International. Projects include proprietary concepts, first-to-market opportunities, retailer exclusives, custom editions, special cover treatments, licensed titles, and novelty formats. Working closely with editorial, production, sales, and publishing leadership, this position focuses on the creation of customer-specific titles, pulling from the children’s imprints front and back title lists from concept and mockup through final print-ready files, frequently on compressed schedules to respond to immediate marketplace opportunities. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports; freelance designers and illustrators may be engaged as needed.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Independently design and manage a high volume of custom publishing projects across Silver Dolphin Books and Studio Fun International, maintaining quality and meeting aggressive deadlines.
• Develop strong, commercially appealing covers, interiors, packaging, and specialty-component designs for board books, novelty books, coloring and activity books, licensed products, and other formats.
• Execute rapid-turnaround publishing schedules, moving custom concepts from ideation to final print-ready files in compressed timelines to capitalize on immediate marketplace trends.
• Adapt and repurpose existing artwork, content, and publishing assets into compelling new products, including retailer exclusives, special editions, and unique cover treatments.
• Collaborate directly with editors and publishing leadership to brainstorm custom concepts, develop formats, create mockups and sales presentations, and resolve creative challenges.
• Prepare and review detailed design and production specifications, including die-cuts, foil, embossing, specialty finishes, packaging, and novelty components.
• Create complete and accurate mechanicals; preflight files and prepare press-ready PDFs that meet printer specifications, quality standards, and licensor requirements.
• Balance creative execution with production feasibility, budgets, changing priorities, and deadlines; identify issues early and recommend practical solutions.
• Work with licensor guidelines and feedback, incorporating revisions accurately and efficiently while maintaining brand integrity.
• Attend meetings, take clear and accurate notes, communicate action items, and present concepts and project updates in a clear, confident, and professional manner.
• Communicate effectively with editorial, production, sales, and publishing teams; demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
• Coordinate with freelance designers and illustrators as needed, providing clear briefs, creative direction, and feedback while retaining ownership of assigned projects.
• Stay informed about trends in children’s publishing, licensed properties, competitor products, new formats, design tools, and manufacturing techniques.
• Other duties may be assigned, directed, or requested.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Communication Design, or a related field is required.
• Minimum six (6) to eight (8) years of professional design experience; children’s publishing, custom publishing, and/or licensed publishing experience is preferred.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, and thorough knowledge of print-ready file preparation is preferred.
• Strong portfolio showcasing typography, layout, cover design, concept development, and print production skills; experience with specialty or novelty formats.
• Ability to manage numerous projects independently, execute rapid revisions, take initiative, and remain organized under changing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail, resourcefulness, creative problem-solving skills, and a collaborative team-player mindset.
• Strong to advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to speak with all levels of the organization and outside partners.
• Ability to communicate complicated information to others.
• Communicates clearly and professionally in meetings, presentations, and written correspondence; listens carefully, records accurate meeting notes, welcomes feedback, and collaborates effectively with colleagues and freelance resources.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• A methodical and organized approach to problem-solving.
• Identifies and resolves design, scheduling, and production problems promptly; evaluates options and exercises independent judgment to deliver creative, practical solutions.
• The work performed is in an office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at low decibels.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
• Hybrid, in-house San Diego work arrangement preferred, with a preference for Southern California candidates; remote applicants may be considered.